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United States Patent |
5,548,632
|
Walsh
,   et al.
|
August 20, 1996
|
Safe alert emergency alerting system for remotely located sites
Abstract
A system for providing emergency alerting capability to persons at or near
a remote banking terminal (ATM) or night-depository, in such a manner as
to minimize risk to the possible victim and maximize the emergency
response authorities' ability to monitor and respond to the situation. The
device consists of a covert control and two-way communication unit
attached to an Automatic Teller Machine or a night-depository. The unit is
activated by a button or switch on the ATM, or by a remote radio receiver
link from a keyed small radio transmitter. Upon activation, the unit dials
a 911 emergency response office, establishing two-way voice communication
from covert microphones at the ATM, and to a speaker hidden at the ATM.
During communication, the unit is controlled by the emergency response
operator.
Inventors:
|
Walsh; Frank P. (Gulfport, MS);
Gergen; Paul N. (Christian, MS);
Hines; David (Ocean Springs, MS)
|
Assignee:
|
Steelman; Lawrence (Gulfport, MS)
|
Appl. No.:
|
160092 |
Filed:
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November 30, 1993 |
Current U.S. Class: |
455/521; 379/40; 379/45; 902/1 |
Intern'l Class: |
H04Q 007/24 |
Field of Search: |
379/58,63,37,38,39,40,45,46
235/379
364/408
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3582555 | Jun., 1971 | Kok | 379/40.
|
4176254 | Nov., 1979 | Tuttle et al.
| |
4380201 | Apr., 1983 | Dion.
| |
4467142 | Aug., 1984 | Rupp et al. | 379/45.
|
4763349 | Aug., 1988 | Siegel et al. | 379/38.
|
4802208 | Jan., 1989 | Yeh.
| |
4878236 | Oct., 1989 | Ray et al.
| |
4884514 | Dec., 1989 | Shockey et al.
| |
4911087 | Mar., 1990 | Couvrette.
| |
4918717 | Apr., 1990 | Bissonnette et al. | 379/40.
|
5054058 | Oct., 1991 | Kakizawa.
| |
5086463 | Feb., 1992 | Vesely et al.
| |
5235630 | Aug., 1993 | Moody et al.
| |
5305370 | Apr., 1994 | Kearns et al. | 379/38.
|
5354974 | Oct., 1994 | Eisenberg | 235/379.
|
Primary Examiner: Kuntz; Curtis
Assistant Examiner: Trost; William G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pravel, Hewitt, Kimball & Krieger
Claims
I claim:
1. An emergency alert system for use with an automatic teller machine
located at an automatic teller machine location that is approached by an
authorized user to obtain banking services from the teller machine, the
system comprising:
a) activation means operated by the user for establishing both operation of
the automatic teller machine for banking services and a two way
communication between the user at the automatic teller machine location
and an emergency dispatcher, wherein said two way communication is a
direct interconnection of an alarm signal alert to a selected emergency
"911" number;
b) said communication originating from a microphone positioned at the
automatic teller machine location to pick up sounds from the vicinity of
the automatic teller machine location;
c) said communication being to a speaker located at the automatic teller
machine location to receive sound communication from the emergency
dispatcher to the vicinity of the automatic teller machine location; and
d) termination means for allowing only the emergency dispatcher to
terminate said two way communication.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for establishing the two-way
communication includes a manually activated switch located at said
automatic teller machine location.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for establishing the two-way
communication includes a coded radio transmission generated from an
individual radio transmitter carried by the user and transmitted to a
receiver concealed in said automatic teller machine.
4. An emergency response communications systems for use at an automatic
teller machine site, the system comprising:
a) at least one microphone receiving sound signals from the vicinity of the
automatic teller machine site;
b) at least one speaker communicating voice signals to the vicinity of the
automatic teller machine site;
c) activation means for establishing both operation of the automatic teller
machine for banking services and a two way sound communication between the
automatic teller machine site and an emergency dispatcher in response to a
telephone call, wherein said two way communication is a direct
interconnection of an alarm signal alert to a selected emergency "911"
number; from the automatic teller machine site; and
d) means for terminating said sound communications in response to a signal
from said emergency dispatcher.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said activation means for establishing
communication includes:
a) means for connecting to a telephone line;
b) means responsive to a dial tone on said telephone line, for dialing an
emergency dispatcher; and
c) means responsive to an interconnect with an emergency dispatcher, for
controlling said sound communications, terminating said communications
upon detection of a tone code from said emergency dispatcher directing
said termination.
6. The system in claim 5, wherein said means for dialing comprises dialing
911.
7. The system in claim 4 wherein said activating signal comprises a
manually activated switch, activated at the automatic teller machine site.
8. The system in claim 4 wherein said activating signal comprises a coded
radio signal from an individual radio transmitter located at the automatic
teller machine site.
9. The system in claim 8 wherein said radio transmitter comprises a small,
hand held transmitter transmitting a digital code corresponding to an
authentication of said transmitter.
10. The system in claim 5 wherein said means for dialing further comprises:
a) means, responsive to the presence of tones on said telephone line, for
detecting failure to connect to said emergency dispatcher;
b) means, responsive to the detection of said failure, for re-dialing said
emergency dispatcher; and
c) said means for re-dialing continuously redials until connection to said
emergency dispatcher is established.
11. The system of claim 5 further comprising:
a) means, responsive to the establishment of voice communications from said
emergency dispatcher, would prevent further re-dialing.
12. An emergency alert system for use with an automatic teller machine, the
system comprising:
a) means for manually establishing both operation of the automatic teller
machine for banking services and a two way communication from an automatic
teller machine location to an emergency dispatcher, wherein said two way
communication is a direct interconnection of an alarm signal alert to a
selected emergency "911" number;
b) said communication originating from a microphone at the automatic teller
machine location to pickup sounds from the vicinity of the automatic
teller machine location;
c) said communication being to a speaker located at the automatic teller
machine to receive communication from the emergency dispatcher to the
vicinity of the automatic teller machine location; and
d) means for the emergency dispatcher to override the sounds originating
from the automatic teller machine location and to terminate said two way
communication at the direction of the emergency dispatcher.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This Invention relates to the field of emergency communication systems for
making known the occurrence of an emergency requiring a response at a
remote location.
It specifically relates to devices for making known the occurrence of
robberies and/or assaults on users of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or
night-depository stations at banks, especially in conditions where only
the assailants and the victim are present, and a safe and effective
response is required.
The vulnerability of banking devices and people using them is long known.
The current spread of ATMs, especially in remote and relatively unattended
locations, has exasperated the problem of security for using ATMs and
night-depositories. Such devices in these remote locations pose a danger,
because they present the inviting opportunity of a remote location, a
vulnerable individual, cash money and an easy chance of escape after
perpetration of the crime. Alarm systems are generally ineffective, as
each alarm must be responded to by a central alarm response firm which
must first analyze the nature of the incident being alarmed before any
assistance or help can be requested. Further, most alarms require a
noticeable effort to activate, presenting the probability that the
perpetrator will simply physically prevent the victim from activating the
alarm or will take a violent action against the victim if the victim is
seen to attempt an alarm.
The use of telephones for calling for help has proven quite satisfactory,
as evidenced by the success of the 911 emergency response service
nationally. However, installing pay phones at these isolated locations is
not a practical solution for three major reasons. First, it is not
economically feasible, as there is insufficient traffic to pay for the
service. Next, persons using a pay phone are commonplace, not readily
taken as a danger sign. A pay phone, thus, is an ideal waiting place for a
perpetrator. Finally, a phone can easily be rendered inoperable by
removing handset.
Any type of telephone, of course, requires a combination of actions to use,
all of which are quite apparent to the perpetrator, and which an armed
perpetrator can easily prevent or suppress. The placement of a regular
telephone handset on an ATM or a night-depository is thus equally
unsatisfactory. Any person planning a crime at the site will simply
disable the telephone by forcibly removing or disabling the handset. It is
further quite apparent again to a perpetrator whether a victim attempts to
reach for a handset, and the perpetrator can usually physically prevent
the victim from completing a call.
The wide-spread use of a standardized emergency response telephone system
using a standardized number, "911", to switch through the existing
telephone system into an emergency response network. Since such an
emergency response network is required to respond to possible multiple
simultaneous calls, it is a universal policy that no blind alarm may be
used to directly dial into the 911 network. At all times, the 911 network
requires the capability of controlling the duration and connection of a
call so that the emergency response operator controls the line for every
telephone call that is connected to the 911 network. As a result, alarm
systems, in the sense of an automated alerting system, are prohibited from
inter-connection to the 911 system by substantially all 911 jurisdictions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This Invention discloses a system for providing emergency alerting
capability to persons at or near a remote banking terminal (ATM) or
night-depository, in such a manner as to minimize risk to the possible
victim and maximize the emergency response authorities ability to monitor
and respond to a known situation.
In summary, the device consists of a covert control and two-way
communication unit attached to an Automatic Teller Machine or a
night-depository, with two principle means of activation.
The first means of activation is a button or slap plate on the ATM which
activates the emergency communications system. The second means of
activation is a remote radio receiver link, which works in conjunction
with a keyed small radio transmitter. These remote transmitters can be
issued to customers who use the night-depository. This can also include
persons engaged in ATM maintenance who are vulnerable to attack because
they are known to be capable of opening the ATM, giving access to the cash
bank therein.
Upon activation, the device searches for, within an attached telephone line
or plurality of telephone lines, an available line identifying an
available line by standard telephone signaling tone. The device then
repeatedly accesses an emergency response number, usually 911, until a
voice grade connection can be established with the emergency response
center. The device then activates two-way communication between the
emergency response center and the ATM or night-depository. Included in
this are covert, relatively long-range microphones covering the entire
vicinity of the ATM and night depository for the pick-up of sound and
voice, as well as a speaker system permitting the emergency response
operator to communicate with all persons in the vicinity of the ATM and
night depository.
The device further remains responsive to and controllable by the emergency
response operator during the period of voice interconnection and
specifically, the device responds to control codes/tones which are used by
the emergency response operator to control the 911 system to permit the
emergency response operator to continue the connection or to terminate the
connection after analysis of the circumstances as revealed by the sound
being picked up in the vicinity of the ATM or night-depository and any
response to verbal communication from the emergency response operator.
This latter feature is essential for obtaining approval to interconnect
the device with the emergency response system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the Invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Invention comprises an emergency communication system for installation
on an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) or in the vicinity of a night
depository box which provides for a significant and largely covert
communications function enabling a victim to call for medical assistance
or report a crime as a result of a criminal confrontation at an ATM or
night depository. While the description below concentrates on installation
on an ATM, which is considered the most vulnerable location for assaults
upon lone users, it should be apparent to those of skill in the art how
the Invention is equally installable in the vicinity of night depositories
and bank lobbies or windows, and similar remote sites. It is not
considered that the Invention is intended for locations which enjoy
extensive traffic, in as much as the constant presence of numbers of
people tends to prevent the type of surruptous approach in robbery which
occurs at lone ATMs. Additionally, the risk of false activation is
considered unduly high in such locations.
The Invention consists of a concealed control unit 2 located in a manner so
that it is not accessible readily to the public. This can be accomplished
by placing the primary box containing the unit behind an ATM 4 or in some
other location closely physically approximating the ATM, but concealed
from view and access. At the ATM is provided a manually activated alert
means 6. This may consist of a push button or a slap plate. It is
preferred that the ATM 4 have a large warning sign that police
notification is available from the sight, as a deterrence against
perpetrators lurking in the vicinity of the site. However, no other visual
or audial indication of activation of the alert system should be at the
location so as to minimize perpetrator reaction to an actual activation.
The on-site means for alerting 6 is preferrably a push button which may
either a thumb activated button, or preferrably, a larger button which may
be activated by pressing with the palm, and which can be preferably
surreptously pressed as though the individual is leaning against the ATM.
Within the alert means there is a first activator circuit 8 which provides
three separate forms of activation.
The first form of activation is by depressing the button 6 provided on the
ATM. As an option, this activation circuit may be interconnected to the
ATM so that it is only activated on a combination of an ATM card being
inserted 10 in the ATM, indicating a legitimate customer or possible
victim, and depressing of the button. This is considered desirable in some
locations to prevent false activation by vandals or passers by.
A second activation circuit 12 is provided as a UHF radio receiver,
responding to tone codes to identify a specific transmitter 14.
Such receivers 12 and transmitters 14 are known in the art for other
signaling and control purposes. In this Invention, the transmitter 14 is
provided as a small hand-held push button short range transmitter 14, such
as may be provided on a wristband as though it were a wristwatch, or as a
key ring attachment, or as a pendant. Each transmitter 14 is identified by
a particular digital code held in a non-volatile memory form, the code
being transmitted as digital modulation on the radio signal and received
by the activator circuit. The activator consists of a receiver decoding
the digital transmission and comparing it with a series of authorized
digital transmitters which are also in non-volatile memory within the
radio activator circuit 12. Upon detection of a match of a digital code
being received with a digital code in memory, indicating an authorized
user of the ATM, the activator circuit 8 triggers an activation. This
coding serves to authenticate the transmitter as associated with a
specific ATM, preventing false alarm by the wrong ATM.
Upon an activator circuit 8 triggering a valid activation, a communications
system 16 activates and performs the following tasks in sequence:
First, unless the unit is connected to a dedicated telephone line, the unit
16 searches the telephone lines 18 it is connected to for an open line by
detecting the presence of a dial tone.
Upon detecting a dial tone, the unit 16 goes off-hook and begins a
pre-programmed dialing sequence into the connected 911 telephone system.
The 911 telephone system is a specific telephone interconnect provided by
local telephone companies and is well understood. Access to and the
handling of such a call is described in, for instance, U.S. Pat. No.
5,249,223 to Vanacore which discloses the sequence of processing of the
911 call once dialed into a local central office. The ATM 4 will, of
course, have been previously registered with the 911 system so as to
provide identification of the location in the coding of the 911 call.
Suitable techniques for such coding and interconnection are disclosed in,
for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,630 to Moody et al.
The connection unit 16 then monitors the line 18. If no sound is detected
on the phone line for ten or twelve seconds after dialing without
receiving a ring-back tone, a one and a half to two second tone, the alert
system goes on-hook, re-accesses the telephone line 18 and repeats the
dialing sequence 20.
The same sequence 20 is followed if a busy tone, a repetitive five or six
times tone within the first ten or twelve seconds after dialing, is
received.
The re-dialing sequence 20 is also done if a steady tone of three seconds
duration immediately follows the dialing of the number, indicating a
failure of the local central office to 911 system to fully connect as may
be called by a hang-up on an incoming call or the rejection of dialing
information by the phone company.
Upon detection of the ring-back tone, a tone of one to two seconds duration
followed by a silence of an equal or greater duration, and indicating the
ringing of the 911 phone, the redial circuits 20 are locked out.
Upon answering and connection of the service, the alert unit 2 performs two
tasks. First, it immediately connects covertly located microphones 22 to
the telephone line. The microphones 22 are placed in the ATM to cover an
area within a fifteen foot radius of the ATM, transmitting 300 to 5000
hertz, the typical voice tones. It 2 also connects the telephone line to a
covertly located speaker 24 at the ATM. The speaker 24 has a volume loud
enough to be heard within the same fifteen foot radius of the ATM. Both
the speaker 24 and the microphones 22 are immediately connected for audio
transmission to and from the 911 system through the local telephone lines
18. At the same time, the communications system 16 is armed to respond to
the presence of a dial tone, a steady tone, or a termination tone,
indicating termination of the circuit by the 911 emergency response
operator 28, and, at this point, will release the line and reset for a
subsequent activation and recall.
The unit may also be equipped with a time-out circuit 26 to timeout and
release the 911 line after a fixed time of connection as may be required
by the local emergency response authorities.
It is considered critical for the Invention, that the alerting device 2
interconnects with the emergency response operator 28 for two-way
communication, permitting the emergency response operator 28 to monitor
the voice conversations occurring within a fifteen foot radius of the ATM,
and, at the same time, if deemed appropriate, to address the persons in
the vicinity of the ATM or night depository to induce a response. It is
equally important the 911 operator 28 maintains final control over the
connection to the response line from the time of activation, and that the
alert device 2 respond to any forced disconnect by the 911 emergency
operator 28 response. It is the presence of these characteristics, which
are not present in a blind alarm system, which permit the alert system to
directly connect to a 911 emergency response office.
All 911 emergency response centers known to the Inventor, refuse to permit
direct interconnection of an alarm signal alert to 911, because the
prevalence of false alarms, and the inability of the 911 emergency
response operator to control ultimately access to and duration of
connection the 911 system. It is the Invention's providing of two-way
voice communication immediately upon a signaling of an alert, together
with the devices response to and termination control by the 911 emergency
response office that makes the device acceptable as a direct access
alerting system to the 911 system.
In the event of radio alert activation which may occur for a unit installed
in an ATM or a unit installed in night depository box, additional covert
microphones 22 are provided to provide for a more distant voice pick-up.
This is in consideration of the fact that the remote alarm is designed
specifically for use by specific customers who habitually deposit or carry
large amounts of cash to or from an ATM or a night depository. It is
considered appropriate to provide such persons with a method of signaling
an alert upon approach to a night depository or ATM if it appears that an
unsafe or dangerous condition exists. Since this is likely to occur at a
distance outside the normal fifteen foot voice radius of the manually
activated system, it is important to provide directional microphones
providing for longer range voice monitoring. Such microphones can be
provided and typically will provide for a 35 to 40 foot voice range, which
may be aimed towards a known location. The trusted depositors, equipped
with the individual alerting device, will, of course, be briefed on the
location to be for proper voice monitoring.
It is considered important that the Invention provide no visible indication
of its activation, as this is considered to reduce the possibility that
the perpetrator will take violent action against the victim. All 911
emergency response offices record all conversations and transmissions made
into them. This provides a proper evidentiary record of all verbal
communications occurring after activation of the alert system and provides
important evidence for the apprehension and conviction of any perpetrator.
This recorded evidence is considered to be a significant advantage of the
system, in as much as the 911 emergency response office recordings will
typically be fully admissible evidence in court, whereas a mechanical tape
recorder connected to a remote alarm system would meet no such evidentiary
standards. The knowledge that events occurring within the vicinity of any
ATM equipped with the Invention permit direct identification and
conviction of the perpetrator would have a long term deterrent effect
against crimes being perpetrated against users of ATMs and night
depository boxes equipped with the Invention.
It can readily be seen how the Invention permits easy and covert activation
of an alerting system for emergency response by the possible victim of an
attack in the vicinity of a remote ATM or night depository box without
inducing violent reaction against the victim as would be induced by a
visual or an audible alarm going off. Further, the two-way communication
provided by the Invention to a manned response point significantly reduces
the possibility of false alarms and increases the probability of detection
and apprehension of persons who attempt falsely to alarm the unit. In
addition, the option in which a card must be inserted before a manual
alarm can be sounded further reduces the possibility of false alarms.
Finally, the Invention, providing total control over the alerting and
recording process on the part of the 911 emergency response office, both
satisfies all requirements for connection directly to 911 emergency
response office and, at the same time, provides for an evidentiary record
which significantly increases the chances of apprehension and conviction
of any perpetrator of the crime against the user of such a device.
Further, since all aspects of the alarm are covert, and add no additional
equipment to the ATM, the possibility of vandals disabling the alerting
system is significantly reduced or eliminated. This is particularly true
in comparison with the practice of putting a two-way telephone handset at
such a unit; such handsets are almost invariably pulled off or destroyed,
and any perpetrator would sabotage such a unit before lying in wait for
his victims.
It can thus be seen that the Invention provides for a unique and far more
effective alerting system for the assistance to users of remotely located
ATMs, night depository boxes and similar locations which are particularly
susceptible to assaults on victims known to be carrying money.
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